'₹14,000cr World Bank loan used in Bihar polls': Kishor's party
What's the story
Uday Singh, the national president of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, has alleged that the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government diverted a ₹14,000 crore World Bank loan for election purposes. The allegations were made after the Jan Suraaj Party failed to win any seats in its first election. Singh claimed that "since June...₹40,000 crore was splurged" by the government for vote-buying through doles and freebies.
Fund misuse
Allegations of fund diversion for women's financial scheme
Singh highlighted the "Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana," which transferred ₹10,000 to women's bank accounts ahead of the elections. He alleged this was done in violation of the model code of conduct. "It must have been the first time that people kept getting the money till a day before voting took place," he said, adding that this could have influenced women voters.
Election critique
Singh's criticism of NDA's electoral strategy
Singh also slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for its election strategy. He said the NDA would have been defeated if public money hadn't been used to buy votes. "Please remember that it was not until the Jan Suraaj Party promised a ₹2,000 old age pension that the government raised the amount from ₹700 to ₹1,100 per month," he said.
Voter fears
Singh addresses voter concerns over potential 'jungle raj'
Singh also spoke about some Jan Suraaj Party voters choosing the NDA out of fear of a "return of jungle raj under the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)." He said many potential supporters ended up voting for the NDA due to this fear. Pavan Verma, another member of his party, echoed similar allegations and claimed that funds were diverted from a ₹ 21,000-crore World Bank fund.
Election outcome
Bihar election results and voter turnout
In the recent Bihar elections, the NDA won 202 seats in the 243-member assembly. The BJP won 89 seats, JDU 85, Union Minister Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 19, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha five, and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha four. The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan managed only 35 seats, with the RJD winning just 25.